It's leaf peeping season! Here's the best way to catch the changing foliage this fall.

Mythili Devarakonda, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read

'Tis the season of pumpkin spice, sweater weather and beautiful fall foliage. Among the many fall activities, leaf peeping has become one such favorite pastime.

Fall is a great time to venture out to enjoy the outdoors. With pleasant daytime temperatures and chilly evenings, the fall months of September through November are the perfect time to get outside.

And we all know that fall foliage is a huge part of outdoor activities. Southern Living reports that Red Maple, Gingko, Japanese Maple, Chinese Pistache and Bald Cypress are some of the best fall trees that bring out vibrant, autumnal colors.

Leaf peeping is an activity of traveling to view and photograph the changing colors of fall foliage during the autumn months.
Leaf peeping is an activity of traveling to view and photograph the changing colors of fall foliage during the autumn months.

What is leaf peeping?

Leaf peeping is an activity of traveling to view and photograph the changing colors of fall foliage during the autumn months. From brilliant emerald greens to blazing yellows and oranges to bright reds, leaves transform across America and put on a colorful show. Many travel to explore these scenes filled with the lush array of colors.

National Park Service reported that leaf peeping is a very popular recreational activity in national parks in the fall season.

Although more prevalent, leaf peeping is not exclusive to North America. In Japan, a similar practice exists, called “momoji-gari” or “koyo.” Considered the “ultimate autumn pastime,” momoji-gari translates to “hunting red leaves.” However, momoji-gari or koyo don’t just refer to red-leaved maple trees in practice, according to Boutique Japan, but make the catchphrases for leaf peeping activities.

In Finland, the autumn splendor is called “ruska,” translating to “fall foliage” in Finnish. “Ruskaretki” is a typical outdoors activity like hiking or traveling to admire the fall colors.

'Clad with colorful displays': Best national parks to visit for 'leaf peeping'

Best places for leaf peeping in the U.S.

For your next leaf peeping trip, here are USA Today's reader-voted recommended places to spot fall foliage across the U.S.:

  1. Upper Peninsula, Michigan

  2. Taos, New Mexico

  3. Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

  4. White Mountains, New Hampshire

  5. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

  6. Aspen, Colorado

  7. Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania

  8. Ozark Mountain Region, Arkansas

  9. Stowe, Vermont

  10. Door County, Wisconsin

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is leaf peeping? The popular fall foliage activity, explained.